The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1887-05-05

A 10y
difficulty in planting and man.
aging fruit trees if the teachings
of MI. Lindley be observed. He took
a young peach tree On the stage and
with his knife "ruined it !" according
to the opinion of nearly all present,
but he stated that it. was the proper
treatment under certain conditions.
We will give this valuable essay to
our readers.
After.talks-By Rev.4J. r. Jones
and DR.. j.. Bird. =. ...ary.
The COMMISSIONER OF AGRIcuLTURE,
Mr.. John Robinson, was introduced
by the President, who read a straight
forward, practical NortHf Carolina ad.
dress, in which he gave valuable adj
vice. Especially did he commend
diversified farming and more attention
to the raising of stock. He gave a
brief sketch of the various sub-depart-
ments under his charge, and also gave
the work of i~nauggurating the Indus
trial College by the trustees in Raleigh.
He was a farmer had always been !;
vas in full sympathy with the farm
ers; came here by authority Of the
| State, ,nota to. dictate, but to- consult
with the farmers and to learn of their
wants and necessities and resources.
The address was we'll received by the
audience. z .ial14~ sBv.
l1o. . EVENING SESSION. -
pc The hall was we'll filled whenuthe
President called the meeting to order,
a large proportion being ladies.
STRAWBERRIES AND SMALL FRUITS.
Mr. E. r. Purdy, a citizen of High
Point, was Introduced, and although a
young man, at once addressed him.
self to the subject with a self-compos-
ure and confidence, hat showed that
he knew something of what he should
say. He knew that we would hear all
about the production of clover, grass,
corn, wheat and large pumpkins, etc..
and he felt that he had been honored
by being chosen to bring to the feast
the sauce and the dainties. We find
our farmers doing without these lux
uries when they could have them SO
easily and SO cheaply. In New York
city, where land is worth So, 600, 900
per acre, the mechanics raise straw
berries on the housetops and here in
our State where land is worth $40
per acre, our people are without them.
He discussed the methods of planting
and cultivation, etc, in a most inter
ing banner The Hafter-talks " were
participated in by a number, and they
poured questions on Nh. Purdy which
elected many points that he failed to
bring out in his. speech. All We're
pleased with the discussion
x FARMERS BOYS. \
By Prof. l.. L. Wright, of Davidson
county. He said that nine-tenths of
his life had been devoted to the educa-
ton of boys. Farmer boys have al
ways been of interest to me. The day
has been when the sons of farmers
were neglected. Today their oppor,
t%unities are Frightening they are
coming to the front they must soon
take the chief places in church and
State. Farmers libraries are being
augmented, their boys. are reading,
growing, and widening there is still
great restitution of the means neces-
sary to feed the young in country
homes. If our boys r to be kept
upon the farms, they must have more
upon which they can feast their men
tai activities. Let the PROGRESSIVE
FARMER and other excellent literature
be given them. Country boys will
always seek city and town life unless
we give them the facilities, educating
in their tendencies at ur homes. We
are too negligent of their environ
ments at our homes, too careless of
their rooms and outfit in their farm
life.
1t is possible for us, no matter what
abe our circumstances, to improve these
things, and we must do it if we wish to
save the farmer boys Some rof the
brightest intellects' of the past and
present have come from the farm. /
repeat, the bright eyed boyssfrom the
farm are coming to the front, taking
their positions high among men. The.
age of muscle has passed, and the
age of mind is here. Labor, to be
dignified and remunerative, must be
educated and skilled.
: Short talks were made by several
gentlemen, emphasizing the import
ance of providing all possible means
for intarostinr an1istinp and nrosorv.